Sherqillah


Geography:
Sherqillah is situated at a distance of 40KM from west of Gilgit town towards North West besides the Ghizer river, in district. The distance to district head quarter Gahkuch is 24KM. a suspension bridge connects Sherqillah with the Ghizer road. It is divided into different residential places like Hmuchal, Diraney, Moos, Loidaas, Amphary, Majiniphari, Danjer, Rashmal, Ramasot and Daas.
Bargo village of district Gilgit is situated to east, Gulapur to South, Dalnat to South West, Japukey to West and Naltar valley is situated to the north of Sherqillah.
 Ecologically the village falls under dry temperature eco-zone. Rainfall is mainly during march-May and during June and August. Irrigation is based on water from Sherqillah Nallah.

History:
Anciently named as “6aburkhand” since its existence nobody has found its history in the written form; however the ancient people had transferred its history verbally from generation to generation. Sherqillah has been targeted by several conquerors from north and west because of its nearness to nature and geographic and climatic importance.
People of different races from south and central Asia traveled to this area and lived here in the past. These people created the history of this area and left many monuments behind them, an example is the monument if Dooda Seyn(a Ringleader of Yashkun tribe) in Amphary, it is a sign of Zartusht religion(worshipers of fire) in Sherqillah.
            In the ancient times the only way of income was farming. People used to grow crops like maize, rice, pulses and wheat. Sherqillah has been famous for its fruits like walnut, apricot, almond, grapes, charies and apple which were sold in Gilgit bazaar. Grapes have been famous fruit of Sherqillah, and it was mostly sold. There were no vehicles and road for transport, people used to cross the distance by foot.

Socioeconomic Situations:
            There is an estimated population of 14000 people in Sherqillah village, living in above1200 households. The majority of people is quite poor. The common language spoken is Shina.
         There is enough land, livestock, jobs and businesses in the village. The poor groups have less than 5 kanals of land, average education and few livestock, while the well off groups have sufficient income from their agriculture land. Farmers spent most of their time in the fields, while women spent most of the time at home and in the fields.
People mostly go to Gilgit and Gahkuch town to purchase items of their daily requirements, Tehsil and courts for attending disputes cases and hospitals for medical treatment. Most of Sherqillah businessmen have their own shops, workshops and restaurants in Gilgit and Gahkuch main bazaar.
There are several government and non government institutions working in education and other sectors. Private institutions are registered with the district government. Girls have approach to college level education at the door but boys travel to Gilgit or other cities Pakistan. Literacy rate in females is 65% and 40% in male section. The literacy rate is unsatisfactory in males as compare to females.

The details of Govt. and private institutes are as following:
S.No
Institution
Govt/Private

Education

1.
F.G Boys High School
Government
2.
F.G Girls Middle School
Government
3.
F.G Boys Primary School
Government
4.
SAP School Daas
Government
5.
Sap School Diraney
Government
6.
Adult School Moosphari
Government
7.
Adult School Daas
Government
8.
Aga Khan Higher Secondary School
Private
9.
Pilot Secondary School for Boys and Girls
Private
10.
Pilot Modern College for Girls
Private
11.
Pilot Primary School Rashmal
Private
12.
Pioneer Public School Rashmal
Private
13.
Iqra School
Private
14.
Community Girls Hostel
Private

Health Institutions

15.
Sherqillah Civil Dispensary
Government
16.
Centre for Family Planning
Government
17.
Aga Khan Health Centre
Private
18.
Sherqillah Veterinary Dispensary
Government

Financial

19.
Galaxy Multi Purpose Cooperative Society Ltd.
Private
20.
Sherqillah Women Organization
Private

Sports

21.
Sherqillah Sports Club
Private

Fisheries

22.
Diraney Hatchery
Government
23.
Bhar Hatchery (Under Construction
Government

Handicrafts

24.
Government Handicraft Training Centre Rashmal
Government

NGO

25.
Ghizer Rural Advancement Foundation


Natural Resources

Water Resources Lakes, Glaciers:
Sherqillah is rich with water resources Khand Glacier, Karey Daar Glacier, Passu, Khaltar, Summi and Bichhar Glaciers are main sources of water. Several fountains provide clean and fresh water throughout the year, some lakes are also found in Karey Daar and Khaltar and the Dimbat Lake in HamuchaL ranks the beauty of Sherqillah.
Rainfall occurs between April to August but heavy rainfalls occurs in July and August. Months of snowfall are form December to February. Glaciers start melting in May and the maximum flow of water in Sherqillah stream takes place in July and August and reduces after September.
People use tap water for drinking throughout the year. There are 3 water supply thanks 2 from Bhar fountains and 1 from Danjer fountain. There are 9 channels from the main stream fulfilling the need of irrigation water in the village. The water from Sherqillah steam is also used to run 2 powerhouses which supply sufficient electricity to Sherqillah and Gulapur.

Forest:
The following tree species and shrubs are found in forests of Pamir, Khaltar, Choko and Chili6en in Sherqillah.


S.No
Local Name
Scientific Name
Tree/Shrub
1.
Chee
Pinus
Tree
2.
Chili
Betula Utiliss
Tree
3.
Ka3ul
Picea Smithina
Tree
4.
Jonzhi
Juniperous Macropoda
Tree
5.
Biya

Tree
6.
Kasunar
Fraxinus Xanthoxyloides
Tree
7.
Bizaar

Tree
8.
6ingai
Rosa Webbiana
Shrub
9.
Chontal
Rheum Webbiana
Shrub
10.
Bizho

Shrub
11.
Nirko
Daphne Oleoides
Shrub
12.
Doodal

Shrub
13.
Booro
Hippophae Rhamnoides
Shrub
14.
Dara

Shrub
15.
Churki
Rumex Cirpus
Shrub
16.
Ishkeen
Berberis
Shrub
17.
Ispandur
Pagnum Harmalla
Shrub


Due to week implementation of forestry laws and lack of management for protection in Sherqillah forest areas, the condition of the forests is deteriorating as compared to the past. The number of natural trees has been decreased considerably during the last thirty years due to excessive deforestation.

Uses of Sherqillah Forest:
About 30% of Sherqillah forest wood is used as timber for domestic use. About 60% of forest wood is used as fuel wood and about 10% of wood is used for other purposes like making baskets, wooden plates, spoons and other house hold, agriculture equipments and furniture. Each household in Sherqillah uses an average of 30 mounds fuel wood from December to February. Out of 30 mounds of fuel wood about 50% are met from the planted trees of their own land, while remaining 50% are met from the natural forest of Sherqillah.

Pastures:
There are 20 Pastures in Sherqillah containing different kinds of natural resources like fresh water, medicinal herbs, wood species, rare wildlife species, minerals and different colors of nature. Most of the pastures are located at a distance of 5-40km from the village. The local people use pastures for grazing their livestock. They take their livestock to the pastures between 1st May to 15th of June and they return back in October. The pastures are also best picnic spot for the youth; different groups enjoy their summer vacations in these pastures  to enjoy the beauty of nature.  

Wildlife:
A large variety of wildlife is found in Sherqillah. Once Sherqillah was famous for its abundance of wildlife but it decreased with the growth of human population. The following wildlife species are found in Sherqillah.
S.No
Local Name
English
1.
Bun Mayaaro
Ibex
2.
Kil Mayaaro
Musk Deer
3.
Oreen
Marco polo Sheep
4.
Dee
Snow Leopard
5.
Loi
Fox
6.
Urko
Wolf
7.
Chhaanchi
Squirrel
8.
Kirkali
Black Lizard
9.
Ushayo
Rabbit

Due to unavailability of any wildlife program and specialist the population of above mentioned species has not been fairly recorded yet. The hunting of wildlife animals is badly affecting their population and it also causes harmful effects on the natural heritage of the region.

Birds:
            Following species of birds are found in Sherqillah.
S.No
Local Name
English
1.
Kaakas
Red legged Partridge
2.
Kooti
Hill Pigeon
3.
Zhoone/Kaa
Crows
4.
Ka6eyp

5.
Bayonj
Falcon
6.
Buleyj
Jungle Hen
7.
Mayoon
Golden Dipper
8.
U6koor
House Sparrow
9.
Hupupo
Hoopoe
10.
Chok
Owl
11.
Hara3un
Sparrow
12.
Tsiki

13.
Tilter

14.
Kantei
Sparrow Hawk
           
Reasons of Hunting:
            Hunting is done for following purposes.
i.          Ibex, Markhore and Musk Deer are hunted for their meat, horns and skin.
ii.          Snow leopard and wolfs are killed to prevent livestock.
iii.         Foxes are killed for prevention of poultry.
iv.         Kaakas is hunted for gift and meat purposes.
v.         Buleyj, Kooti and Tilter are hunted for meat.
 
Medicinal Herbs:
Medicinal plants are abundant in Sherqillah Nallah. They are used by the locals to cure their common diseases such as headaches, lose motion, joint pain etc.

Following medicinal plants are found in Sherqillah.
                       
S,No
Local Name
Scientific Name
Local Usage
1.
Tumuro
Thymus Serphyllum
Tea, Cure in digestion
2.
Kasunar
Fraxinus Xanthoxyloides
Tea, good for jaundice, good for headache
3.
6ingai
Rosa Webbina
Bark is used to make tea
4.
Hayao
Carum Bulbocasttanum
Spice for cooking
5.
Jomi
Utrica diocia
Cures constipation, cooked as vegetable
6.
Filil
Mentha Longifolia
Cures stomach ache, spice for cooking, salad
7.
Booro
Hipohae Rhamnoides
Stomach ailments, used as medicine during pregnancy
8.
Lilo
Viota Surpense
Sour throat, cough
9.
Chontal
Rheum Webbiana
Blood purification, Stem is used as fruit
10.
Momiran
Swertia Petiolate
Mixture with sugar, used as an eye drop
11.
Churki
Rumex Cirspus

12.
Koropo

Stomach pain, heart perpetuation
13.
Laski char
Corydalis
Hair tonic
14.
Nililo

Shampoo
15.
Sat a6i

Loose motion, used for pregnancy
16.
Ishkeen
Berberis
Cure for joints and back pain
17.
Khakamus
Artemisia
Cure for stomach diseases
18.
Gasmali
Ocimum Basilicum
Used with green tea

Agriculture:
The area comes under double cropping zone. Agro structure of Sherqillah is quite homogenous, about 80% of its people are farmers and is the major source pf livelihood. Almost every household has its own land in which wheat, maize, potatoes, vegetables fodder and fruits are cultivated. Major crops in Sherqillah are wheat and maize. A large variety of fruits are grown in the village e.g. grapes, peaches, figs, cherries, walnuts, almonds, apples, pear, apricots, pomegranates etc.

Tourism Potential in Sherqillah:
As Sherqillah was capital of former Punial state and the residence of the governor, people from different regions of Gilgit Baltistan, Kashmir and Chitral including British and other countries used to visit the governor. During their visits they made trips to different famous and historical areas of this valley which included the fort, different monuments, ruins of ancient fort at Sujo Bu3, Asylums of ancient people which were used for safety from enemies in Kasunar Daas, Donji and Parkisingot. The visitors also used to go to Nallah for hunting, tracking and entertainment.